zimzim

For Winter hire, you might want to consider whether you want to find a boat with a stove - there are a few.

The main drawback with Pearsons, I find, is that North is oriented differently on every page! I have never seen maps presented in such a confusing way. Most annoying feature of Nicholsons is trying to work out which pub description supplied applies to which pub symbol on the map. Both contain a surprising number of errors and ommissions - keep a pencil handy!

Trick is to find somewhere far enough from the A46 bridge to be quiet. Strange thing about mooring by Cape of Good Hope is that access to the pub is over a lock gate only, with quite a long drop to the water (unless you don't mind walk to next bridge and finding your way around local roads). Not great for elderly/infirm. I always think this is a dodgy way to return from a pub!

Most often used phrase by the steerer of a hire boat in the course of a holiday? .............."I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING!" Sometimes accompanied by "I CAN SEE YOUR LIPS MOVING" Couple of years ago I hired a boat where the engine cover was just a bit of badly fitting marine ply. I had to stand in a certain place to cut down the noise of the vibration. Couldn't hear the cricket commentary, was difficult to hold a conversation, and ended every day with a headache! It's definitely worth checking, when possible!

Plastic very fast and convenient - flexible to install in awkward shaped spaces, and you don't need to go in with the soldering iron, so safer, and much less faff. Also easier to disconnect/uninstall, when you want to change things, or have messed up! Like previous posters, I always use copper where visible or near to heat sources. Remember to use lubricant gel (!) Always use a quality brand (I use Hep2o or Speedfit) - cheap ones do not age well - especially when subject to repeated/prolonged cycles of high temperatures and cooling. Never put your finger inside the fitting (or let kids) - there are metal teeth in there designed to grip the end of the pipe! I must admit, I still like the permanency of soldered copper, when the access is good and time is not pressing.

Hello Peeps - Newbie alert! For what it's worth, I think Sainsburys are abandoning carrier bags altogether. If you need a bag, they will charge you the 5p, but issue you with a 'bag for life'. That's a hell of a lot fewer bags in the world!